Bob Bartlett was spotted by Bramley Chairman Walter Popplewell as he managed the 1946 Great Britain Rugby League tourists in Australia. It is rumoured that Bob thought he was signing for Leeds and not for Bramley in Leeds! However his 100% commitment and skills soon made him a big hit with the Bramley supporters.
He made his debut on August 23rd 1947 in a 29-8 home victory against Belle Vue Rangers, the following month saw him score his first try in the amber and black in a 3-43 defeat at Huddersfield in the Yorkshire Cup competition. Tries followed at York in a 19-12 win in November, at Swinton in January during a 10-19 defeat and finally crossing the line for the visitors in the RL Challenge cup tie against Vine Tavern.
The first game of the 1948-49 season saw Bob score the only Bramley try in a memorable 7-7 draw at Headingley. The second match of the season resulted in Bob finally scoring on his home ground during a 27-5 victory against Hunslet, December brought tries at home to Huddersfield in a close 15-21 defeat and on Christmas Day at Odsal as Bradford Norhern celebrated Christmas with a 12-9 victory. His final match for Bramley was at Huddersfield on the 22nd January as he said farewell with a well taken try in a 5-28 defeat.
Bob Bartlett was then transferred with Dennis Murphy from Bramley to Leeds in exchange for Joseph “Joe” Hulme and Dennis Warrior, and made his debut for Leeds against York at Clarence Street, York on Saturday 29 January 1949.
Bob Bartlett represented British Empire XIII while at Leeds in the 10-23 defeat by France at Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux on Thursday 26 May 1949, and won caps for Other Nationalities while at Leeds in the 7-13 defeat by England at Derwent Park, Workington on Monday 19 September 1949, the 3-8 defeat by France at Stade Vélodrome, Marseille on Sunday 15 January 1950, and the 3-16 defeat by France at Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux on Sunday 10 December 1950.
Bob also played in Leeds‘ victory in the Yorkshire County League during the 1950–51 season. His Leeds career consisted of scoring 33 tries in 83 apperances.
After returning back to Australia Bob appeared for the NSW Country Firsts in the 28-27 victory over New South Wales Town Firsts at Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday 16 May 1953.
His sporting achievements were rewarded with an Australian Sports Medal in 2000.
Bob passed away on 19 February 2010, his funeral took place at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Wollongong on Tuesday 23 February 2010, and was attended by family, friends, and dignitaries including former Lord Mayor of the City of Wollongong Alex Darling, former rugby league footballers Keith Barnes, Allan Fitzgibbon and Gus Miller, and rugby league administrators Bob Millward (father of Ian Millward), and Peter Newell (Illawarra Steelers chairman).
Bob Bartlett’s Bramley career;
1947-48 Apperances 30 Tries 4
1948-49 Apperances 16 Tries 5
Total
46 appearances 9 tries 27 points.